Illinois Valley counties qualify for energy assistance program

Telegraph Staff Report

Published 3:55 pm, Wednesday, September 23, 2015

GILLESPIE — Tracy Kreipe, executive director for the Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation, recently announced that Illinois Valley has been designated by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to operate the 2016 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the counties of Calhoun, Jersey, Greene and Macoupin. The LIHEAP program is designed to help eligible households meet their home energy costs.

LIHEAP provides one-time payments for income-eligible renters and homeowners in the form of credit to utility providers to help pay energy costs. LIHEAP may also provide assistance to restore utility services to eligible households who have been disconnected. Homeowners could also be eligible for Emergency Furnace repair or replacement. Eligibility is based on the number of family members and their combined income.

This year the schedule for accepting appointments will be as follows:

- Oct. 1 — The heating season starts and the program is available to households with senior members over 60 years of age and households with members who receive disability income;

- Nov. 1 — Seniors and disabled, plus families with children under the age of 6 years and disconnected (non-priority) households;

- Dec. 1 — All other low-income eligible households can apply at this time.

The Reconnection Assistance program component will start Nov. 1. This applies to Households who are disconnected and/or have an imminent threat of disconnection.

The Furnace Assistance program component begins Oct. 1 and it will be available to the priority groups and dates listed above.

When applying for LIHEAP, applicants must bring copies of their most recent heating and electric bills in their name, proof of income for all household members for the 30 days prior to appointment date, and documentation of Social Security numbers for all household members. Failure to present complete documentation will result in delayed processing or possible denial of application.